The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Adamu, has spoken about rumours flying around about the health status of the foremost presidential candidate in the country and national leader of the ruling party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as well as the existence of a cabal in Aso Rock.
Adamu, while fielding questions from journalists at a press conference on Wednesday evening in Abuja titled, “Victory is on the horizon,” dismissed unfounded insinuation that Tinubu is sick as he explained that the former Lagos State Governor is fit as a fiddle.
The APC National Chairman also dismissed fears of presidency by proxy after Tinubu’s anticipated emergence by God’s grace on Saturday as well as the existence of the so call cabal in Aso Rock Presidential Villa. He explained that he does not believe in the existence of the mafia.
His words: “I am not aware Tinubu has any health challenges. I have not seen him complain or exhibit any challenge of ill health. I’m optimistic that he will make a great president.
“Presidency by proxy? I can assure you that Tinubu will rule if he wins. I have worked with him for eight years, we were counterparts. There were many issues that brought us together. I believe he has capacity, he is capable and will be able to exert himself on the rigours of the Presidency.
“I don’t believe in the mafia world. It takes one to be a mafia to be a member. The presidency has denied its existence. I don’t work in the Villa. When people can’t get what they want, they decide to fly all manners of information and create imaginary cabals.”
Commenting on the lingering insecurity in the South-East, the APC National Chairman explained that there is a limit to what the government could tolerate.
“Voting is not compulsory, there are five states in the South-East and the APC has two. We are going to get more. There is a limit to what we can do about insecurity there. There is a limit to what we can take as a government and on the part of INEC. There is nothing wrong with agitation, but I don’t have the stomach to tolerate killing. They should give peace a chance,” Adamu said.
Adamu He also spoke on the controversy over the naira design policy of the Federal Government which had created a cash crunch as he noted that the policy and its unintended consequences have not affected the image of the party.
He said, “We are not in principle opposing the naira design. But the implementation by the CBN is the problem. Nigerians have not lost faith in the APC. Mischievous people are the people blaming the APC. We have not lost the confidence reposed in us. The Nigerian people still believe in us.
“Even though it has eaten into the electioneering period, they still have confidence in us. You may be right about unity but I don’t see any governor working against his party. But there is no discontent by any governor.”
Speaking on the 75 per cent of youths who partook in the continuous voter registration, he said that was social media statistics.
“Yes, we’re impressed by the 75 per cent registration of youths but don’t be carried away by social media statistics. But that’s not a sign that they will vote against us for a particular candidate. But I can assure you that we will beat that party and that candidate,” he said.
Adamu also said the APC had done well in the campaigns to win the presidency.
He said, “As you are very much aware, in the last few months, our party, the APC and its presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu have been traversing every part of the country campaigning and soliciting for the support of Nigerians ahead of the coming general elections. During these campaign rallies, in all the places we visited, we were greeted by a massive turnout of supporters and loyalists which confirmed the fact that we are the biggest party in Nigeria.
“Just yesterday (Tuesday), we held our final mega rally in Lagos. The number of our supporters who turned out for the rally gives me cause for joy. I am convinced that with what I have seen across the country, victory at Saturday’s election belongs to the APC.
“Our campaign rallies have provided opportunities for us to explain to Nigerians the policies and programmes of the APC for the next four years. We laid before the voters how we intend to build on the legacies of President Muhammadu Buhari, in the areas of infrastructural development, agriculture, security and youth development.
“We told Nigerians to have confidence in the ability of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to bring renewed hope to them. I assure every Nigerian that the next APC administration will not only build on monumental achievements of the past eight years, it will open new areas of development for the country.”
